Restraint Systems

What is a restraint system?

A restraint system is a set of straps and cuffs built to hold more than one limb at once, anchored to something solid: a bed, a door, a belt or the body itself. Where a pair of handcuffs joins two wrists, a system can pin arms and legs to the corners of a mattress, fold wrists back to ankles, or clip wrists to a collar. Most of this collection is bed restraints; hogties, door restraints and wearable systems make up the rest. For all bondage gear, start at restraints.

Types of restraint systems

Under-bed restraint systems

Sportsheets' Under the Bed Restraint System, the Master Series All Access and Interlace kits, Edge's Extreme system and the Scandal, Boundless, Nocturnal and Ouch! bed restraints all work the same way: a strap runs under the mattress and four adjustable cuffs appear at the corners. Fetish Fantasy's Bed Bindings, Web and wraparound mattress restraints vary the layout, and all of it hides when the bed is made.

Hogties and hogtie connectors

A hogtie joins wrists and ankles behind the body. Lux Fetish, WhipSmart, Sportsheets, Scandal and Boundless sell complete hogties with four cuffs, Rouge makes leather and rod versions, and Ouch!'s Paris, Venice and Milan connectors clip onto cuffs you already own. The Fetish Fantasy silk rope hogtie and Secret Kisses' satin set are the softest.

Door and closet restraints

Edge's door restraints, Sportsheets' Door Jam Cuffs, Lux Fetish's Closet Cuffs and the Nocturnal Over the Door Cross hook over the top of a door and hold the wearer standing.

Neck-to-wrist and collar body restraints

Sportsheets, Saffron, Sex and Mischief, Lux Fetish and Strict make neck and wrist restraints, and Scandal and Boundless make collar body restraints, linking wrist cuffs to a collar so the hands stay at the chest or back. The collar positions the hands; nothing should ever pull on the neck.

Bondage belts, bars and humblers

The Fetish Fantasy bondage belt and Master Series saddle strap belt put cuffs on a waist belt so the wearer stays mobile; Sportsheets' No Matter Where and Sex and Mischief's Anywhere You Dare travel the same way. Scandal and Sportsheets bondage bars hold limbs apart like a spreader bar, and Master Series humblers are for experienced players only.

How to choose a restraint system

Think about where you play and how much movement to take away.

• Anchor: under-bed straps suit a fixed bedroom; door and belt systems travel and work in any room.
• Release: look for cuffs that unclip or unbuckle in one motion, and hogties with quick-release clips rather than knots.
• Cuff comfort: wide, padded or faux fur cuffs spread pressure; thin straps mark sooner.
• Experience: under-bed systems are the gentlest; hogties and neck-to-wrist restraints suit couples who already use bed and body restraints or rope.

How to use a restraint system safely

Agree limits and a check-in word first, and never leave a restrained partner alone.

• Fit every cuff so a finger slides underneath, and check hands and feet for cold, tingling or colour change.
• Keep hogtie sessions short and change position often; release at once if anything hurts or goes numb.
• Use a door restraint only on a door that closes firmly and that nobody can open from the other side.
• Never let a collar or neck strap bear weight or tighten.
• Wipe vinyl, nylon and vegan leather straps with a damp cloth, wash silicone with a toy cleaner, let leather air dry and store everything flat.

Restraint systems for beginners and couples

An under-bed system is the easiest first purchase: it hides away, the cuffs are soft and the wearer can still shift and stretch. Couples who enjoy it often add a hogtie or a door restraint. Build up slowly, keep the release in reach and let comfort set the pace; for a complete bundle, restraint kits pair straps with blindfolds and more.